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(No Model.)

, Gr. W. BEAVER.

THILL COUPLING. No. 325,648. PatentedSept. 8, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. BEAVER, E MANNS oHoicE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0E THREE-FoURTHs ro HARVEY GREGORY, FRANK LEONARD, AND J. A.

VYNNE, OF SAME PLACE.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,648, dated September 8, 1885.

Application filed May 23, 1825. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEoRGE W. BEAVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Manns Choice, in the county of Bedford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Thill-Couplings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to thill-couplings; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to providea thill-coupling adapted for use in connection with any style of vehicle, and one which shall be simple and effective in its construction,

I easily and readily understood, and cheaply manufactured. I attain these objects by the construction of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved thill-coupling. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on line X X, Fig. 2, showing an anti'rattler attached thereto. Fig. 4 is a 30, sectional elevation of the anti-rattler, adjustingscrew, and supports. Fig. 5 is a modified form of the locking-spring.

A represents the axle-beam, to which is secured in the usual manner the clip B. As

in the ordinary form of thill-couplings, two

extensions, 0 O, are cast integral with the clip B. These extensions haveholes cbored through their sides, through which a sliding bolt, D,

passes. The flange or projection c is formed eat the lower portion of the extension 0, and

the half-head cl on the bolt D, when turned a sufficient distance, engages with the said flange c, and acts to secure the bolt D and prevent it from becoming accidentally detached. The

5 extension 0' has a flanged projection, a, cast integral therewith,with which the flangedhalfhead (Z of the lockingbolt D engages. On the other end of the locking-bolt an operatinglever, D,is secured, by means of which the bolt D may be withdrawn from the hole in the extensions O 0.

To the under side of extension 0 a headed pin, 0 is secured. Around this pin 0 a flat locking-spring, C is looped, one portion of said spring extending in toward the axlebeam A and resting thereon, and the other portion extending outward toward and engaging with the operating-lever D by a loop,c", and from this point it extends outward a short distance, so as to form a projection, 0*, by which it may be operated.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, a wire spring may be used and substituted in the place of the flat spring just described, operating in the same manner. This spring 0 acts to secure the lever D and prevent the accidental displacement of the sliding bolt D.

.As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, an anti-rattler, F, is secured to the extended portion of the clipsecuring plate E, having a shoulder, e, which prevents the box f of the rattler from turning. A suitable adjusting thumbscrew, f, is seated in the plate E, extending vertically upward, and has a shoulder, f, formed on the end thereof. A metal box, f, rests upon shoulder f, being fastened thereon by a reduced projecting portion, f of screw f, which is headed on the inside bottom of box f and prevents the said screw from becoming disengaged therefrom and dropping out. In the box f a rubber cushion, f, is placed and secured by suitable means, and on the top of this rubber cushion a metal cap or covering, f, is secured, which prevents the direct wear of the thilbiron upon the said rubber cushion. By the thumb-screw f the anti-rattler is adapted to fit any style of thilliron and be made to conform to thill-irons of varying dimensions.

The operation of my improved thilLcoupling is as follows: The operating-lever D is released from engagement with the spring 0", and the sliding bolt D is turned until the flange on the half-head d clears the flanged projection c of the extension 0'. The sliding bolt D is then drawn out and the thill placed in the space between the two extensions 6 and O, and the bolt shoved back to its place.

Normally the lever Dengages with the spring 0 by which it is locked in place.

Various iiie cli'anical changes could be made and substituted for those shown and described Without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is V 1. In a thill-conpling, the combination of a clip having extensions 0 O, a sliding bolt having free movement in said extensions and provided with an operati ng-1ever,and a spring locking device secured to the under side of the extension 0 at or about its middle portion, and having one of itsjends resting on the axlebeam. and the other looped and securing the sliding-bolt lever, substantially as described.

, c ip B, h sexteusions, OiO;

2. In a thill-coupling, the combination of a sliding 2o bolt, D, having a lever, D, moving in said extensions, a spring, G on the under side of extension 0, one end of which spring rests against the axle-beam A, and the otherlooped,

as 0 and engaging the lever D, and an anti- 25 rattler, F, constructed substantially of the form described, for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof "I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. BEAVER.

\Vi tn esses:

HARVEY GREGORY, WILLIAM D. BISHOP. 

